Fire-escape



(No Model.)`

. 5 shets-sheet 1. C. P. B. EHRENTRAUT.

PIRE BSGAPE.

Patented Mar.- l, 1892..

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PIRE ESCAPE. No. 170,112.4 Patented Mar. 1, 1892 ATTORNEY.

(No' Model.)

Patented Mar. l, 1-892.

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C. P. B. EHRENTRAUT. PIRE ESCAPE.

No. 470,112. Patented Mar. 1, 1892.

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UNTTnD STATES PATENT Genion.

CHARLES P. B. EHRENTRAUT, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

FI RE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 470,112, dated March 1 1892.

' Application tiled April 1l, 1891. Serial No. 388,552. (No modell) lnew and useful Improvements in Fire-Es capes; and I do hereby declare that the follow- .ing is a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention,which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in portable extension tire-escapes of the class -known as shooting' ladders and trucks, and -has for its object to provide a ladder which may be erected independently at a sucient distance from a burning building to be out of the way of the smoke and lire and which can also be folded into a small space, both as to height and length, for transportation; furthermore, to provide means for bracing the ladder in its extended position to prevent it from swaying and also prevent it from bending or bulging at any point of its length; furthermore, to provide automatic means for bracing the ladder which will adjust themselves as the ladder is extended; furthermore, to provide a ladder which may be extended to any desired height and will be automatically locked at the desired extension, thereby relieving the hoisting-cables of strain while the ladder is in use; furthermore, to provide an effective elevator or basket which will operate upon and be supported by the ladder', and, furthermore, to provide'means for spanning the interval between the top of the ladder and the building and to provide a platform upon which firemen may stand Vto throw water into the building.

With these objects in view the invention consists in the construction andarrangement of the sections of the ladder whereby their front surfaces are in approximately the same plane, in the construction of the truck whereby the base of the ladder may be leveled independently of the wheels, in the arrangement of guy-ropes to connect the top of the upper section to the windlass or drum onthe truck, in the arrangement and adaptation of means for adjusting the strut-frames.

the bracing-ropes and strut-frames to maintain the sections in a straight line and prevent bending or bulging, in the construction and arrangement of the means for oper- .ating said bracing-ropes and strut-frames extension (partial or complete) whereby the ,n

hoisting cables are relieved of strain during the time that the ladder is in use, in the arrangement and adaptation of the guideropes for the elevator whereby it is supported throughout its descent and prevented from` descending too precipitately in case of accident to the operating-cable, in the construction of the folding platform at the top of the Y upper section, and in the adaptation of the means for spanning the interval between the ladder and the building.

The invention consists, furthermore, in certain details of construction and arrangement, which will be fully described hereinafter in connection with the drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a view of the ladder in its eX- tended or elevated position. Fig. 2 is a view of same in its folded position. Fig. 3 is a rear View of the ladder in its extended posi- Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view on line x of Fig. 3. Fig. isadetail view showing the retaining-lock. Fig. 6 is a detail Sectional view on line y y of Fig. 3 to show the Fi". 7 is a detail view of the yoke for connectingtthe front guy-rope to the top section. Fig. 8 is a cross-section on line ,a ,a of Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a view of the upper end of the ladder, showing the bridge in position. Fig. 10 is a view in detail of the folding platform. Fig. 1l is a view of one of the supporting-bars and the grappling-hook at the end of the same. Fig. l Zis a detail view showing groove and rib. Fig. 13 isa detail view showing hook and clasp for securing the platform-guards. Fig. Mis a detail View of the alarm. Fig. 15 is au enlarged view of a portion ot' the machine, showing more particularly the arrangement of the several parts at the lower end ot' the same.

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The truck A may be of any preferredform, Y

ner, and is provided with a supplementary adjustable platform B, which is engaged by vertical adj usting-screws d a. The adjusting- Ascrews are provided with miter-pinions a a', which are engaged by similar pinions ZJ b on the operatingrods B. Guard-tlanges B 'V' are secured to the truck on opposite sidesof the adjustable platform and close to its edge to steady it and prevent straining and jamming the adj listing-screws.

The ladder is composed of a series of independent sections, of which the bottom or base section C is the broadest. The next section C is narrower than the base section, so that its side beams will fit snugly between the side beams of the base-section. The next section C is narrower than section C and fits between its side beams, and so on. The top section 0 is the narrowest and tits between the side beams of the next lower section 0. Thus the sections are telescoped, the contiguous sides of the side beams being provided with intermeshing or engaging ribs `and grooves c c, respectively. The ribs of the ladder-sections are arranged close to the rear edges of the side beams, as are also the crossbars and braces between the side beams, whereby the sections maybe fitted together, so as to bring their front sides approximately in the same plane. The side beams may be reduced in thickness toward the upper end of the ladder,thus enabling the sections to be still more compactly folded'. The side beams are also connected by cross-bars 0J and t" at their upper and lower ends, respectively, and intermediate brace-bars fu" ,said cross-barst being provided at their front sides with anti-friction rollers fe", for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

The base-section is pivoted to adjustable standards D D, which are perforated to slide upon horizontal guide-rods CZ (l at the sides of the adjustable platform, 'said guide-rods being secured at their ends to vertical posts CZ tl. The adjustable standards D slide at their bases in channels D D' in the surface of the adjustable platform. The base-section is arranged to lie fiat upon the truck when the ladder is folded, in which position the sliding or adjustable standards D are moved to one end of the guide-rods, andwhen the `latter is to be erected said standards are moved to the center of the truck and locked to the guide-rods by means of set-screws d. Adjustable props D are fitted at their upper ends in caps or sockets t on the side beamsbf the base-section and rest at their `lower ends upon the ground or pavement.

The side beams of the sections are provided at `their upper and lower ends with small sheaves or pulleys e e, around which is passed the hoisting-cable E. Both ends of the cable are reeled upon the windlass E', which is mounted transversely on the truck, and the loop or central portion thereof passes under the two sheaves at the bottom of the top section. From this point the sides of the double cable pass over the sheaves at the top of the second section, thence under the sheaves at the bottom of the second section, thence over the sheaves at the top of the third section, and so on until they reach the sheaves at the bottom of the base-section, from whence they pass to the windlass. By winding the ends of the cable upon the windlass the sec- "tions are successively extended, the top seetion being first elevated to the limit of its movement, and then the second section being similarly operated, and so on. Each section in turn, beginning with the top section, will be entirely extended before the next lower section is moved.

The object in forming the hoisting-cable in a single continuous piece and not securngjit to either of the sections is to prevent twisting and straining in case one end of the cable is reeled more rapidly than the other. The cable is so arranged that is may adjust itself to make the draft upon the two sides equal. The sheaves at the upper end of the top section are omitted, as will be seen by reference to the drawings.

The side beams of the sections are further provid ed at their lower ends with small shonlders F F, which impinge against stop-blocks F F at the upper ends of the adjoining sections when the latter are extended to prevent disconnection of the sections, and said side beams are also provided at their lower ends with inwardly-projecting stop-pins F to hold the lower ends of the sections in alignment when the ladder is folded. These stop-pins project outinto the path of the sections as they are folded, and the lower ends of-the side beams come into contact with the pins and are thereby prevented from passing beyond the ends of the adjoining sections.

To maintain the sections at the desired height and relieve the hoisting-cable of strain after the desired adjustment is attained, I employ automatic locks f, which are set in the inner sides of the side beams and engage notches f in the outer sides of the contiguous beams. The form of lock whichI prefer to use in this connection is illustratedin Fig. 5 and is provided with a spring-actuated bolt f, which is inclined upward toward its nose or engaging end or beveled, so as to prevent the sections from closing accidentally, but not interfere with the extension of the same. Said locks are also provided with a tumbler f", which is adapted to be turned by means of a key and is arranged to engage a lateral lug on the bolt. The tumbler is so arranged that when turned fully around, as shown in dotted lines in the above-mentioned figure, it locks the bolt in its retracted position. It is necessary to lock all of said spring-actuated bolts in their retracted positions before the ladder can be folded. Any other suitable form of lock may be used; but I have found the one above described to be effective and IOO IIO

simple, and therefore prefer it to others which are more complicated and have no provision for locking the bolt in its retracted position. The ribs are preferably placed upon the inner sides and the grooves in the outer sides of the side beams, as shown in the drawings, in which case the lock forms a part of the gril, and the notches are formed in the grooves;

but this arrangement may be reversed and the ribs placed upon theouter and the grooves in theinnerside. The notches may be placed at any suitable intervals. After the ladder is extended to the desired height, the hoisti-ng-cables are slackened and relieved of strain, the sections being supported by the automatic locks.

The front and rear guy-ropes G and G are sennected at their upper ends to the top of the upper section and are reeled at their lower ends on a drum G near one end of the truck. The front guy-rope is connected at its upper end to a folding yoke G, which is pivoted to the upper end of the top section, whereby said rope is held out of the way of the elevator. The rear guy-rope passes from the drum around certain pulleys g g on the truck and thence to the top of the ladder. These guy-ropes steady the ladder and prevent swaying when in use. The drum G is provided with a pawl and ratchet, which prevent it from turning to slacken the ropes, and said pawl and ratchet must be disengaged when the sections are being lelevated, after which the drum should be rotated sufficiently to tighten the ropes.

In addition to the guy-ropes l employ bracing or supporting cables H H, which are arranged on the rear side of the ladder, are secured at their upper ends to the top of the top section, and are reeled at their lower ends on a drum H', which is mounted on the side beams of the base-section. Each section, except the top section, is provided at its upper end with a pivoted strut-frame I, which consists of side arms K K, pivoted to the inner sides ot the side beams, and a cross-bar K', which connects the outer ends of said arms and is notched to receive and retain the bracing-ropes and hold them away from the ladder. The drum H is provided with a pawl and ratchet and with a crank whereby it may be turned. Vhile the sections are being elevated the pawl and ratchet are disengaged to allow the drum to turn freely, and when the sections are arranged at the desired height the pawl and ratchet are engaged and the drum is turned by means of its crank to tighten the cables, thereby forming a truss with a strut at each joint of the ladder to prevent bending or bulging. These strut-frames have their side arms extended beyond their pivots to form detents 7c 7c, which bear against the side beams of the next upper section, and thereby hold the frames in their folded position flat against the section. Vhen, however, said next upper section reaches the limit of its vertical extension, small notches k near the lower ends of its side beams engage the said detents and extend the frames to a horizontal position. Stop-pins are arranged in the side beams to limit the swing of the frames and hold them in their horizontal position. Thus these strut-frames are adjusted successively and automatically as the sections are extended.

The elevator is another important feature of my improved fire-escape, and its basket L is supported and operated by means of a cable L', which passes over a roller L at the upper end of the top section and is reeled upon a drum L at the foot of the ladder. M M are clutch-ropes secured at their upper ends to the upper end of the top section and reeled at their lower ends on a drum h having a pawl and ratchet to prevent it from unreeling prematurely. The elevator-basket is provided at its back with the pairs of parallel clutch-rolls N N, between which the clutchropes extend and by ,means of which said ropes are clutched to prevent the basket from descending too precipitately in ease of accident to the cable L. Said ropes also act as guides to hold the basket in place on the ladder. The basket is still further steadied and guided by bearing upon the cross-bars of the sections, the anti-friction rollers V being designed to enable -the basket to ride freely Y over the lower cross-bars.

A folding platform O is pivoted to the side bars of the top section near its upper end, and to the side of the platform are pivoted the guards P P, the bottom rails of said guards forming the pivots. The top rails of the guards are provided at their rear ends with hooks ordetents p p, which engage notches p p in the upper ends of the side beams of the section, and sliding clasps P P', which are mounted upon the top rails, are adapted to be moved rearwardly to engage over the upper ends of the side beam to lock the rear ends of the rails in place. When not in use, this platform may be folded .u p between the side bars of the section. The upper endsof the side bars of the ladder-section are reduced,so as to present shoulders 2, upon which the side bars of the platform rest, and the platform is pivoted to the ladder-section just above the said shoulders by suitable pins, as shown in Fig. 10.

Q represents ahorizontal supporting-bar, two of which are extended between the platform D and the roof or a window-sill of the burning building. These bars are provided at one end with a grappling-hook Q', (see Fig. 11,) having a sliding jaw Q to engage the outer side of the wall of the building, the operating-cord Q being connected to said jaw to enable it to be forced outwardly by a person standing. upon the platform. 'lhe other end of one of the supporting-bars is inserted in a socket q at the outer end of thev platform and is locked therein by a clamp R,

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the corresponding end of the other bar being fitted in a socket q', which is provided with a set-screw R. These supporting-bars are adapted to be covered by cross-bars S S, which may be connected by means of iieXible strips or webbing s s, whereby a mat is formed. This mat may be rolled into a small bundle for transportation and may be readily spread over the supporting-bars to form a flooring to enable persons in the building to reach the ladder in safety.

From the above description it will be seen that when folded the ladder occupies but little space. The sections are iitted togetherl closely, so as to bring them into approximately the same plane, and the various bracing and strengthening devices v`hich I employ enable the ladder to be made in short sections, which can therefore be carried by a short truck. It is obvious that a short truck can be more easily handled in passing through the streets of a city and short sections can be more easily operated than longer ones and with less danger of accident.

At the top of the upper section is arranged an automatic alarm or stop T for the elevator, consisting of a vertically-movable bolt, which may be mounted in the yoke for the front guy-rope, to which is connected a line T', which extends to an alarm (of any suitable kind) or to the valve of the engine, which is used for operating the drum of the elevatorcable to warn the operators that the elevator has reached the top or (in case of an engine.) to check the rotation of the drum. Neither the alarm or engine is shown in the drawings, as these may be of any preferred or convenient form and such as are used in connection with other elevators. The adjustable truckplatform enables the ladder to be leveled when the wheels of the truck are upon uneven ground, as when the wheels on one side are in a gutter in the street. The drums are provided with pawls and ratchets to enable the cables to be tightened, as described, to firmly brace the ladder and prevent swaying and bending while in use. The drums are also, preferably, provided with brakes (not shown) to regulate the speed of the drums while the ladder is being folded.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In a fire-escape, the combination of the telescoping sections, the guide-rods d d, the adjustable standards sliding upon said guiderods and having the bottom or base section pivoted thereto, and set-screws to look the standards to the guide-rods, substantially as specified.

2. In aportable tire-escape, the combination, with a ladder, of the adjustable truck provided with parallel guide-rods cl cl, the adjustable standards sliding upon said guiderods and having the ladder pivoted thereto, and set-screws to lock the standards to the guide-rods, substantially as specified.

3. In a fire-escape, the combination of the telescoping sections provided with a hoisting-cable, the elevator operating between the side beams of said sections and provided with an operating-cable, the clutch-ropes secured to the sections, and the clutch-rollers mounted on the elevator and engaging the clutchropes, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. In a fire-escape, the combination of the telescoping sections provided with a hoisting-cable, the elevator operating between the side beams of the sections, the clutch-ropes secured at their upper ends to the upper end of the top section and reeled at their lower ends on a drum at the lower end of the basesection, and the clutch-rolls mounted on the rear side of the elevator to engage the clutchropes, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore specified.

5. In a fire-escape, the combination of the telescoping sections, the elevator operating between the side beams of said sections and provided with a hoisting-rope, and the alarm or signaling device consisting of a verticallymovable bolt arranged in the path of the elevator and provided with a line to extend to the base of the ladder, substantially as specilied.

G. In a tire-escape, the combination of the telescoping sections, the adjustable bracing or supporting cables extending from the upper end of the top section to the base-section and reeled upon a drum, the adjustable trussframes pivoted to the sections near their upper ends and provided on their side arms with extensions or detents to be engaged by notches near the lower ends of the side beams of the sections, all constructed and arranged substantially as and for the purpose specified.

7. In a lire-escape, the combination of the telescoping sections mounted upon a truck, and the front and rear guy-ropes connected at their upper ends to the top section and reeled at their lower ends on a drum on the truck, the front guy-rope being secured to the outer end of a folding yoke G" on the top section, all substantially as and for the purpose specified.

8. In a tire-escape, the combination, with the sliding sections, of a folding platform pivoted to the top section and provided atits sides with pivoted guards P P, the said guards being adapted to engage the top section, su bstantially as specified.

9. In a tire-escape, the combination, with the sliding sections, of a folding platform O, pivoted to the top section, the foldingguards P P, pivoted at their bottoms to the said platform and provided at their upper sides with hooks or detents p p to engage notches in the top section, and the sliding clasps P P', mounted upon the guards to engage the side beams of the top section to lock said hooks or detents in place, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

l0. In a lire-escape, the combination, with IOS IIO

teleseoping sections, of a folding platform O, strueted and arranged substantially as specipivoted to the top section, the supportingfied. 1 bars provided at their outer ends with grap- In testimony whereof I afx my signature in pling-hooks Q and sliding jaws Q'a.nd enthe presence of two witnesses.

gaged at their inner ends in sockets q and q CHARLES P. B. EHRENTRAUT.

in the platform, and the mat composed of Witnesses:

transverse slats connected by webbing ar- WM. B. COX,

ranged upon said supportingbars, all oon- HENRY CrLYoN. 

